It’s a world-renowned story of hope, and Lamb’s Players Theatre has made it its own.

Based on Victor Hugo’s novel, “Les Misérables” is a famously large musical, but that didn’t deter Robert Smyth from bringing the story to life in the cozy, 350-seat European-style amphitheater in Coronado.

“The primary thing I was looking for was a way to focus the story on a much smaller stage than it’s usually produced on, and to look for a way to not be typical, but still serve the story and music,” said Smyth, producing artistic director of Lamb’s Players and director of “Les Misérables.”

The audience sits no more than seven seats from the stage, which allows a performance space about 20 feet deep.

“The space is a challenge just because of the architecture,” said Nate Pierson, director of craft and design at Lamb’s Players and lighting designer of “Les Misérables.” “In terms of the size of the cast — not a challenge at all.”

Smyth describes the set as an abstract, rather than realistic, portrayal of the revolutionary period after Napoleon.

“Storytelling can work very differently; it doesn’t have to be realistic to be truthful,” Smyth said.

He says the concept of grace as a more powerful force than the law is at the heart of the story.

“It’s not something that’s part of our conversation culturally, so I think people are met by that and are profoundly affected by the story and the possibility the story gives us, even for us in a modern society that’s cynical and jaded — it kind of opens something up in us, and part of the way in is the music.”

Smyth was committed to using all local actors in the musical, which has been extended through Sept. 28.

“My role has been a bucket-list role for me for years,” said actor Randall Dodge (Javert), who lives in San Diego and has been acting for more than 30 years. “The opportunity to sing this music, to be able to connect with music, that was always a very motivating force in my life. Being a professional actor is a tough road to hoe … but what’s the payoff, is being able to do work like this.”

The cast size is considered small — 20 actors and 9 musicians — compared with the usual number of performers used in the production, but that just adds to the intimate environment between audience and actor.

“People can pick up on some of the subtleties in the music, and the subtleties in the acting, and in the relationships of the characters that you’ll miss if you’re seeing it on Broadway … on a really grand-scale production,” said actor and San Diego native Allie Trimm (Eponine).

“They see when your eyes well up — they see everything. And I think that’s something really special and very different about the production that we have. It’s much more human and real, and kind of like a less-is-more mentality — very organic.”

Trimm, who has been on Broadway in “13” and “Bye Bye Birdie,” also plays in the ensemble cast.

“We have to learn the whole show, rather than just a couple of songs you are anticipating your character singing,” she said. “I’m enjoying it — it’s been fast. Fast and furious.”